Government
[Editor's note: This Candidate Statement was published without edits from The Highline Journal]
My name is Renee Walls, and I’m running for Judge for King County District Court Southwest Division, Position 5.
My journey to this moment truly began when I immigrated to this country from South Korea. I was born into poverty, lived in foster care, and was later adopted by a mother from the Philippines and a father from rural Minnesota. Being raised by an immigrant and a farmer taught me the importance of hard work, the value of opportunity, and - like my mother - a commitment to public service.
For 26 years, I have served the public as a prosecutor and, for the past 17 years, as a pro tem judge. I began my career as a Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the King County Prosecutor’s Office in 2000, later served as a prosecutor for the City of Federal Way, and for the past 21 years have served as the prosecuting attorney for the City of Burien.
I began serving as a pro tem judge in 2009. After King County Superior Court was granted special COVID funding, I was also appointed as a Judge Pro Tem to the King County Superior Court, where I presided over the felony plea calendars and the permanent protection order calendars.
As a judge pro tem I have had the opportunity to view the justice system as a neutral decision maker tasked with making decisions that significantly affect not only the individuals before me but their families and our community at large, especially during times of considerable societal change.
Serving in both prosecutorial and judicial roles I have come to appreciate the monumental task facing our system of justice as we are called upon to address larger societal challenges such as mental health, homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, and the disproportionate incarceration of poor and minority populations. Central to all of these issues is the need to improve meaningful access to justice.
Over the years I’ve seen our communities, specifically those in the Southwest District, grow and change. I understand both the strengths and challenges facing our communities. The challenges facing our justice system are many and are further compounded by the fiscal reality in which we operate. Judges, as leaders of the judicial branch of government, must work collaboratively with other branches of government to best serve our community, the law, and the overarching principles of justice.
I am honored to have earned the endorsement of 42 judges, including three Justices of the Washington State Supreme Court. Why does that matter? Because these are the individuals who know this work firsthand. They understand the demands, the challenges, and the judgment required to serve effectively. They have dedicated their careers to this work, and their support reflects the confidence they have in my ability to do the job. I believe experience matters, and I have the knowledge and background to step into this role ready to serve from day one.
Renee Walls for Judge | King County, Position #5
Learn more about Seattle attorney Renee Walls, including her campaign, legal experience, endorsements, and vision for the community.
Renee Walls is running against Noel Merfeld for Judge in King County District Court Southwest Division, Position 5.
The Highline Journal extended the same invitation to both candidates. Publication is provided at no charge and does not constitute an endorsement.
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